Suzhou, China, April 12, 2021: The head coach of China’s women’s national football team, Jia Xiuquan, says his players are ready mentally and physically for the second leg of their two-leg Olympic qualifying play-off against Korea on Tuesday, April 13, Xinhua News reports.
China won the first leg 2-1 at Goyang Stadium, Korea, last Thursday, making the Steel Roses red-hot favourites to complete the job at Suzhou in Jiangsu province, eastern China.
"The keys of the match are unity and good execution," Jia noted in the pre-match press conference on Monday. He added that the Chinese players must forget all about the result of the first leg and start from scratch in the second leg at home to the Taeguk Ladies.
"Now the two teams have no secrets and, therefore, the next match could be more difficult," he said.
"It will be a contest of mentality and technics, and I believe that we will utilise our strength to win the match."
As the organising committee plans to allow 10,000 spectators into the Suzhou Olympic Stadium, the 58-year-old coach called for more support at home for the Steel Roses.
"I hope more spectators, fans and media can root for the Chinese team, whether they are on the scene or not.
"I understand that Chinese people have high expectations for the team. As long as we can play in our own way, we will get the result we want," he said.